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Get to know Hepatitis B

What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a  virus  that infects the  liver . Most adults who get  hepatitis  B have it for a short time and then get better. This is called acute hepatitis B. You can have hepatitis B and not know it. You may not have symptoms. If you do, they can make you feel like you have the  flu . But as long as you have the virus, you can spread it to others. Sometimes the virus causes a long-term infection, called chronic hepatitis B. Over time, it can damage your  liver . Babies and young children infected with the virus are more likely to get chronic hepatitis B. What causes hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is spread through contact with the blood  and body fluids of an infected person. You may get hepatitis B if you: Have  sex  with an infected person without using a  condom . Share needles (used for injecting  drugs ) with an infected person. Get a tattoo or piercing with tools that were not cleaned well. Share p
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New Compound Excels at Killing Persistent and Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

June 17, 2013  — An international team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has identified a highly promising new anti-tuberculosis compound that attacks the tuberculosis (TB) bacterium in two different ways . Share This: "These findings represent an effort to help solve one of the major global health crises of our time -- the resurgence of TB and its dangerous drug-resistant strains," said Peter G. Schultz, the Scripps Family Chair Professor of Chemistry at TSRI, who was senior author of the study with William R. Jacobs, Jr., member of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and professor of microbiology & immunology and of genetics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "In cell cultures and in mice, this compound showed powerful activity against ordinary active TB bacteria, non-replicating TB bacteria and even extensively dru

Learn the Signs and Symptoms of TB Disease

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that are spread through the air from person to person. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. The TB bacteria usually attack the lungs, but can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. TB is NOT spread by Shaking someone's hand Sharing food or drink Touching bed linens or toilet seats Sharing toothbrushes Kissing Latent TB Infection and TB Disease Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick with TB disease. People who become infected, but are not sick have what is called latent TB infection. People who have latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. But some people with latent TB infection go on to get TB disease. People who ha

Classification of Viruses

What you forget to think about Chewing Gum side effects!

For ages, chewing gum represented popular pastime that was used all over the world. From the prehistoric men and women who chowed lumps of tree resin for enjoyment, Ancient Greeks who used tree resin to clean their teeth and freshen their breath, Maya Indians who used gummed chicle, and Europeans and American settlers who used hardened tree sap and beeswax. Sadly, even though use of chewing gum can undoubtedly have many positive effects, it can also endanger us. Here are some of the most common chewing gum side effects and disadvantages: Tooth Decay Sugared gums can with heavy use cause tooth decay, gum disease and cavities. This happens because sugar coats the teeth, and can slowly cause damaging of tooth enamel if they are not immediately brushed. To reduce harmful effects of sugared gums, seek out gum brands that use smaller quantities of sugar. Artificial Sweetener Allergies Almost all popular sugar brands use artificial sweeteners to make their products longer lasing, s

Drugs That Interact With Grapefruit on the Rise

Nov. 27, 2012 -- The number of drugs that can be risky when taken with grapefruit is on the rise, largely due to the influx of new medications and chemical formulations, a new study shows. As it stands, there are now more than 85 drugs that may interact with grapefruit. The number of drugs that may result in potentially fatal side effects when mixed with grapefruit increased from 17 to 43 during the past four years. This equates to more than six new potentially risky drugs a year. The list includes some  statins  that  lower cholesterol  (such as  atorvastatin , lovastatin , and  simvastatin ), some antibiotics,  cancer  drugs, and heart drugs. Most at risk are older people who use more  prescriptions  and buy more grapefruit. Here’s what happens: Grapefruit contains furanocoumarins, which block an enzyme that normally breaks down certain medications in the body. When it is left unchecked, medication levels can grow toxic in the body. It’s not just grapefruits, either. Othe